From: "Luikart, Todd" Subject: [GM-7thSea] Gentle Nudges Date: Mon, 26 Jul 1999 12:35:11 -0700 What is the purpose of a "Brute"? Is it: A) Cannon-fodder, B) Opportunities for your PC's to shine, C) Make Villains/Henchman nastier or D) Every Bad Guy needs lackeys. Probably some of all of the above, right? Brutes should always be a name-less (wink-nudge) mass of trouble for your players. The second any of your Brutes evolves a distinguishing characteristic, s/he should either be promptly dispatched or become a Henchman. Some of you have said you're having problems with your player's mass slaughter of your brutes. No problem, says I. Anyone that can off a room full of people gets a name for themselves real quick, and we aren't talking good reputation. Brutes have families. Families take revenge. Encourage your Heroes to behave as such. Their skills allow them to take out Brutes without slaying them. They wanna kill Brutes, that's O.K. but make them deal with the consequences of their actions. As for the name of this posting, one of the most interesting features of 7th Sea (in my mind) was only briefly mentioned: What turns a Brute into a Henchman, and a Henchman into a Hero/Villain? I've already mentioned it, but the second your players start to refer to a given Brute by a name, he becomes a Henchman, i.e.. one of your players slices of a brutes nose, but leaves him alive, Gaston the Beak(less) is born. I've compiled a brief listing of ways that Henchman become Villains and Heroes, enjoy! Set 'em on fire. Kinda self explanatory Emotional Betrayal. Yeah, you did seduce the maid just to get the key, but Legion's fury is nothing compared to a woman scorned. Toss 'em over board. No sailor will raise a finger to save a drowning man, and what the sea doesn't want may one day whoop your ass. Public Embarrassment. Many players forget that while clever words may cut apart a courtier in public, they can create an eternal enemy in private. Hunt 'em down. "What shall we do with this one?" the Ussuran roared, "Perhaps we should let the wolves have him" Leave 'em behind. "Go on, Lady. You must deliver the plans or the Count is done for. I'll hold them off." Drop 'em off a cliff. "No one could have survived that fall." Shoot 'em. A well placed cross can to wonders for one's piety. (and mortality) Accuse 'em of a crime. "But he's an innocent man! Then Theus will doubtless be merciful on him." Curse 'em. "You said what to that Fate Witch?!?!" Inherit 'em. "I thought you said you were the 5th in line, kid? Yeah, but a war and a pox do wonders for one's place in line." Exploding die 'em. I call this "Grace by Epithany" or, more commonly, "Lucky Bastards who roll lots of tens get to stick around longer." May the winds favor you, Laughing Thunder -- Contents Copyright (C) 1997,98,99 by ALDERAC ENTERTAINMENT GROUP, INC.